Flying Scotsman delights public at Swanage Railway
ALMOST 7000 passengers were carried in five days on Flying Scotsman-hauled trains between Swanage and Norden during the recent three-week visit of the iconic A3 to the Dorset heritage line – with many of the special trains being fully booked. More than 200 primary and junior schoolchildren from the Isle of Purbeck were also given the rare opportunity to visit the footplate of the National Collection-owned loco as part of the Swanage Railway’s educational work with local schools. The seven-coach trains consisted of four BR Mk.1s and two 1920s SR Maunsell carriages – including newly restored No. S1346S, which joined No. S1381S in traffic from October 15. Another notable coach was Car 14, the former Devon Belle Pullman observation car, which crossed the Atlantic with Scotsman during its tour in 1969. Owned by the Swanage Railway Trust (SRT), Car 14 has recently benefited from a refresh both outside and in, including the rejuvenation of the interior with new upholstery. Bob Patterson, chairman of the Swanage Railway Company, which operates the trains for the SRT, said: “We are delighted by the strong public response to the visit of Flying Scotsman to our railway. It has been a privilege and an honour for the Swanage Railway to be allowed to host this wonderful locomotive.” Scotsman departed Swanage metals on November 8. As reported last issue, the next public opportunity to see Scotsman is due to be March 1-25 when the A3 visits the East Lancashire Railway.